20 facts about guatemala city

The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! 1. Since that day, the country has weathered two revolutions, a handful of dictatorships, an intervention backed by the United States, a civil war and several military coups. We often hear about the ancient Mayans and their achievements and downfall but did you know that about half of Guatemalas population is indigenous and descended from the Maya people? Sports: one of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. In addition to modern art, there are also many indigenous artists who reflect the styles of their ancestors from centuries before. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. Guatemalans, in particular Mayan women, are skilled textile producers. When they reach one of these milestones, they are auctioned off and taken to Guatemala, where local people repaint them and use them for budget-friendly public transportation. Performed at fiestas in honor of the local saint, these dances are musical dramas which recall historical events through the use of masks and costumes. The emblem is the countrys Coat of Arms which features crossed rifles and swords, a laurel wreath, a quetzal and the date that Central America became independent from Spain. It is sided by important buildings and parks, such as the "Palacio Nacional de la Cultura" (the former presidential palace), the "Catedral Metropolitana", the "Biblioteca Nacional de Guatemala", the "Portal del Comrcio" and the "Parque Centenrio". Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. 2. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags. Share them in the comments below! Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. April 22, 2020. This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. Trek up Volcn de Pacaya A day-trip from Antigua or Guatemala City, a hike to the top of active volcano Pacaya is an unforgettable experience. The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Humidity: 80%. Guatemala knew 36 years of civil war. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. If youre flying out to Guatemala City, it may be worth taking note of the longitude and latitude! The reason for the formation of the sinkhole is thought to be the weak material the city is built on - volcano . A Rich Multilingual Country. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. More interestingly, the agricultural sector employs about 50% of the country's labor force. 42. 2. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. The Land of the Eternal Spring. The cacao tree is highly revered by the Maya people and in Mayan culture and chocolate is known as the food of the gods. As a chocolate lover, I cant say I disagree! Guatemala has a rainy season and a dry season, 23. Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. Official name:Republic of GuatemalaCapital city:Guatemala CityPopulation:17,153,288Area:108,889 sq kmMajor languages:Spanish, Maya languagesTime zone:UTC-6 (Central Time Zone)(Source:CIA World Fact Book). 33. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. It is estimated that between 30 and 50% of the labor force works in the agricultural sector and the main crops are coffee, sugar, and bananas. Lying in a valley of the central highlands at an elevation of 4,897 feet (1,493 metres) above sea level, it has a temperate and invigorating mountain climate. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. The 2010 sinkhole (Associated Press, via horslips5/Flickr) The fact more people were not consumed was miraculous for the size of the hole, but a bigger disaster was already forming beneath the . Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. If you want to make sure you speak the local lingo before you visit, be sure to brush up on your Spanish, as its the official language of the city. Jade is a semiprecious stone that has been used for centuries to decorate tools, ornaments, and mosaics. That being said, if you can speak and understand some basic Spanish, youll get along just fine as most Guatemalans can speak it. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. Share them in the comments below! Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. Guatemala is a fairly small country but Guatemala City boasts the largest population in Central America, with around three million people. (Source: The Nobel Prize), 12. Many of these arrive on cruise ships. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? Beverages: locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. It has coasts on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Tikal, or Yax Mutal, was an important city in the empire of the Maya from 200 to 900 A.D. Guatemala flag. Updates? Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. 4. Your email address will not be published. Do you like chocolate bars? In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. . As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. Home Facts 31 FUN & Interesting Facts About Guatemala. 46. To the Spanish ear, it sounded like Guatemala., Quauhteallan means land of trees or forested land.. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. 1. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. Nor, for that matter, is it an especially safe one. Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Ten fun facts about Guatemala. Do Octopuses Have Bones? Interesting Facts. Cool Facts about Guatemala. About tuc tucs, collectivoes and chicken buses. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. It was sacred to the ancient Mayan and Aztec people and that is one of the reasons why the colorful Quetzal was chosen as the countrys national bird. Read More 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for?Continue, Read More Fun Facts About Vermont | 35 Things You Might Not KnowContinue, Read More 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for?Continue, Read More 50+ Interesting Facts About Austin TexasContinue, Read More Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody KnowContinue, Read More 30 Interesting & Fun Facts about Maryland State | What is Known for?Continue, Your email address will not be published. There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 2. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. The beauty of the lake was praised by two prominent people in history: one being the German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, and the other being Aldous Huxley. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Guatemala is probably an indigenous name originating either from the words Quauhtemallan meaning land of trees or Guhatezmalha meaning mountain of vomiting water, referring to its volcanic eruptions. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. Some of the volcanoes are active. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. 1. 00:59 - Source: CNN. Do you like chocolate bars? Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. The primary language of Guatemala is Spanish. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Photo credit. Guatemala, officially theRepublic of Guatemala, is the67th most populouscountry in the world. Official languages: Spanish Capital: Guatemala City Area: 108,890 km Population: 13.6 million residents Population density: 124.44 residents per km Currency: GTQ Internet TLD: .gt ISO codes: GT, GTM , 320 The prefix for Guatemala is +502. 45. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. (Source: World Bank), 22. Here are 12 surprising things about Tikal: 1.) Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821 and that important event is celebrated every year on that date with the largest celebrations taking place in the vibrant city of Quetzaltenango. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. (Source: UNESCO), 3. As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! Guatemala geographical features more than other city. At seven and a half percent, the diabetes rate in Guatemala is not beyond help, but 47.7 percent of the population is overweight, 16.4 percent of the population is obese and 12.4 percent of the population is considered physically inactive. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Incredible temples, an intricate writing system, a sophisticated calendar and many achievements in math, science and astronomy are just some of the things the Maya are known for. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. Guatemala is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, 12. Essential Facts. Atitln. The Beautiful Quetzal Bird / Facts About Guatemala. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. There they teach painting, sculpture, and graphic art. 27. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. Located just 25 miles south of the city, the Pacaya Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, having erupted over 25 times since 1965. 28. Climate. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! Plaza de la Constitucin. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. The capital of the country is Guatemala City, with about a million people living there. Known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that conform Central America. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. (Source: OEC), 25. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. In the space of under three centuries the city, which was . The ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal in Guatemala is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization and was inhabited for 16 centuries from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. Guatemala is part of the ring of fire, 20. I guess its an acquired taste or perhaps some people just dont know good beer. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. Economic Overview. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. Tours. There are 21 Mayan languages (a language family spoken in Mesoamerica and northern Central America by at least 6 million Maya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. The name Tikal may be derived from ti ak'al in the Yucatec Maya language; and it is said to be a relatively modern name meaning "at the waterhole". Guatemalan Indian-rights activist, Rigoberta Mench, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1992. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty and bordered by three towering volcanoes and several vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, no doubt, a beautiful place and one that you should visit if you happen to be in Guatemala. Imagine these ancient ruins set against the lush jungle canopy and youll understand why they call this site mixed and why its one of the most visited places in the country. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Find the most relevant statistics and facts about Guatemala. 1. Part of the Central America Volcanic Arc, Volcan Tacana lies in a remote part of Guatemala. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. 47. Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! 17. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. (Source: BBC News), 5. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. Interesting facts about Guatemala. Hotel in Zona 10, Guatemala. Guatemala City, Spanish Guatemala or in full Ciudad de Guatemala, capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America, and the political, social, cultural, and economic centre of Guatemala. No#10: Guatemala city. Cuisine: Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guatemala is home to the highest point in Central America, 21. With its suburbs, Guatemala City holds more than 20% of the republic's population. Guatemala is home to the beautiful scarlet macaw and venomous Bothrops asper. 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